The Doe Network: Case File 301UMUK

The Doe Network:
Case File 301UMUK

Right: Reconstruction of Victim by Manchester University

Unidentified Male

Discovered on March 13, 2002 at Exford, Somerset, United Kingdom.

The victim is believed to have been dead for at least two years. Death is estimated to have occurred in September of 1999. The body is thought to have been there from between May of 2001 and January of 2002.

Cause of death is unknown, but police have said that it is likely he was seriously assaulted, possibly by use of a sharp or bladed object.

State of remains: Badly decomposed.

Vital Statistics

Estimated age: 25 - 35 years old

Approximate Height and Weight: 5'8" - 5'9"

Distinguishing Characteristics: Black or very dark brown hair. Although the ethnicity of the man is still unknown, he is thought to be from the Mediterranean, Middle East, or North Africa.

Dentals: He had distinctive dental work done at least a year before his death.

Clothing: He was wearing a pair of blue Adidas shorts and blue and white boxer shorts. He also wore a gold chain. The piece of jewelry, worth Ł100, had a 22-carat gold pendant on it, with verse number 225 from the Koran, the Holy text of Islam, inscribed in Arabic across it, it was made in Pakistan.

Pendant Necklace
Victim's Pendant

Case History
The victim was discovered on open land off Halse Lane, near Winsford Hill, on Exmoor National Park in Somerset on March 13, 2002.
The body, which was in several pieces, was wrapped in black plastic bags, a green single bed sheet and a single duvet. Also in the package was a white pillowcase used by a linen hire service which supplies hotels and restaurants throughout the South West. A wire from a stereo was also found and it is possible the man had been tied with it.
It is unclear as to whether the body was brought to the UK from abroad.
There have been extensive forensic examinations of the remains. The latest of these has looked at the isotopes within the bones. They act as a sort of chemical signature for a person which can show where they lived. This is related to various factors, including the water you drink and the background dust particles you breathe in. Scientists think he had probably spent the time in an area bounded by Bristol, Poole, Plymouth and Bude. Substances found in the man's bones suggest he had lived in the South West for about 10 years and could have travelled around Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.
Police believe that it means someone in the region knew the man.
In 2006 A Muslim funeral was held at Watchet.

Investigators
If you have any information about this case please contact:
Missing Persons Helpline
0500 700 700
E-Mail
OR
Taunton Police
01823 363 153
or
Crimestoppers
0800 555111
You may remain anonymous when submitting information.

Source Information:
Missing Persons Helpline
BBC News
Bournemouth Daily Echo
Avon and Somerset Constabulary
Somerset Gazette
BBC News 9/19/06

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